Resource Copy Failed
project
A referenced resource exists but could not be copied into the output directory because of a filesystem error.
Q-5-7 — Resource Copy Failed
A referenced resource exists but could not be copied into the output directory because of a filesystem error.
What this means
When a document references a local file (such as an image), Quarto copies that file into the rendered output. This error fires when the source file does exist but the copy itself fails partway through — the filesystem refused or could not complete the write.
Unlike a missing source file (Q-5-6, a warning the render
recovers from), a failed copy is a hard error: Quarto cannot
produce a complete, self-contained output, so the render
stops. The diagnostic includes the underlying filesystem
condition as an advisory.
Why this happens
Common causes:
- Permission denied — the output directory (or a file inside it) is not writable by the user running Quarto.
- No space left on device — the disk or volume holding the output directory is full.
- A read-only filesystem — the output location is mounted read-only.
- A transient I/O error — a network mount went away, or the underlying storage reported an error mid-write.
How to fix
Read the advisory in the message — it names the specific filesystem condition:
- Permission denied: make the output directory writable, or run the render as a user who can write there.
- No space left on device: free up space, or point the output at a volume with room.
- Read-only filesystem: choose a writable output location.
- Transient errors: retry, and consider whether the output directory should live on a more reliable filesystem.